LO Huh?? Whuh??
LO What Makes You Ask Me That All Of A Sudden
Y/N I care about your opinion.
Y/N And between the two of us, you're the candy expert.
Y/N You probably have it down to a science.
Stunned silent, Louis leans in close with the oddest look on his face. It's enough to make you squirm a little. Did you say the wrong thing?
LO You Don't Think The Switser Candies Are Good Enough??
Y/N What? No!
Y/N That's not it at all.
LO Then Why Are You Ignoring Them??
LO Why Don't You Just Get Them?? You Don't Like Them??
Y/N Louis, that's not what I'm saying.
LO Then What's The Problem
You swallow.
Y/N I... just...
Y/N I'm not buying them for myself.
Y/N The person I'm giving them to is a... Switser employee.
Y/N And they're really special to me.
Y/N So, don't you think... they'd want something... different?
Louis tilts his head and leans back, the fluorescent lights of the shop lighting his bright face again.
LO Well Why Didn't You Say So!!
LO Obviously When You Work For A Place You Have Access To It All The Time
LO So It's More Thoughtful To Think Outside Of That
LO You're A Thoughtful Person Y/N @u@
Y/N Th-thank you.
Suddenly energized by this new responsibility, Louis stretches and looks back at the busy shelves with a newfound smile.
LO I Might Not Be At The Factory Right Now
LO But I Can Give You An Old-Fashioned Tour
LO I Know All These Brands Like The Back Of My Sleeves
LO Not To Mention The Different Kinds Of Treats Of Course
He clears his throat. Is he preparing for a tour-like experience? You straighten up, realizing that this might be more formal than you had signed up for.
LO So!! First Things First!!
LO What Flavor Profile Are You Dealing With Here??
Y/N Flavor profile? Like... sweet, salty, spicy?
LO Obviously We're Dealing With Sweet!! @_@
LO I Mean More Like
LO Think Textural!! Do They Like To Chew?? Crunch??
LO Are There Any Ingredients They Like?? Don't Like??
LO Would They Rather Have Lots Of Little Bits Or One Big Guy??
LO Narrowing Things Down For The Individual Is Its Own Kind Of Methodology
LO Imagine Getting Them Something They Usually Ignore At The Shop
LO Or!! Switser Forbid!! They're Allergic To!!
LO That Could Turn Them Off Of Candy Entirely
LO Which Is Totally Unfair To Them!!
Y/N Wow.
Y/N You really are an expert.
LO Hah Hah!! Candy's The Only Thing I Studied For The Longest Time
LO Because It Was The Easiest To Grab
Y/N What do you mean by that?
LO It Was Always On The Lower Shelves!! I Was A Tiny Kid!!
Y/N Ohh.
LO Which Also Made It Way Easier To Steal!!
Y/N What?
LO It's Amazing What You Can Get Away With When You're Small And Fast
LO And Wearing Something With Big Pockets
LO Sigh.. That Was The Life Then
Louis gazes off into the distance, wistful. You know that his life before becoming a Switser was fraught, but the details were never public knowledge. Mostly because Lucas Switser was more focused on rehabilitating the lost child rather than highlighting the lifestyle he once had.
He himself makes reference to it now and then, but he'd always jump to a different subject, preventing you from getting any elaboration. So, before he can do so again, you chime in.
Y/N Even if you had to resort to... that...
Y/N Candy must've been a nice comfort for you.
Y/N I get why you like it so much. I'd like it too.
He turns back to face you. The smile is still there, but it's less manic and more softened.
LO You're Awful Sweet On Me Y/N
LO Careful I Don't Take A Bite To See If You're Just As Sweet Inside @u@
He laughs as your face warms. He doesn't come off as a flirt, but his words can sound oddly provocative. You're never sure if his insinuations go any further than playful remarks.
So, you're not too surprised when, rather than following up on his statement, he walks over to a shelf and gestures at the items there.
LO You Can Tell Someone's Candy Preferences By Observation Also
LO Like If They Have An Oral Fixation On Chewing Things In General
LO There's A Good Likelihood They Prefer Gummies And Such
Y/N Yes. I'd say they definitely don't mind working through something.
Y/N It's hard not to see something in their mouth, to be honest.
LO Ah A Fellow Chewer
LO If I Don't Have A Snack On Me I'm Afraid I'll Chew Through Most Things
LO Lime Mother Has Yelled At Me So Many Times For Decimating Her Pens @u@
Y/N I thought you always had candy on you.
Y/N Every time I see you, you've got a lollipop in your mouth.
He gives you a grim look.
LO Yet Hunger Will Always Catch Me Slipping
You nod, giving him an equally serious expression.
Y/N I am so sorry to hear that.
He hands you a variety pack filled with chewy goodness, including long-lasting hard candies, soft gummies, and chocolates with a special crunch in the center.
LO This Should Be A Good Start
Y/N J-just like that?
LO You Can Get More Specific Once You Know Their Candy Preferences
LO For Now You Can't Go Wrong With A Variety Pack @u@
You hold the lofty bag, feeling dissatisfaction pool in your stomach. Louis frowns and tilts his head.
LO You Don't Think This Is Enough??
LO Maybe You Can Go For The Super Mega Sized Bags
LO Even If There's Something They Don't Like
LO There's Enough To Placate Any Candy Enjoyer
Y/N That's not it.
Y/N I just don't want this to be over so soon.
Y/N Is that weird?
LO @.@
LO You Don't Care That Much About The Candy Do You
Y/N No! I promise, I really appreciate your help.
LO Then Why Are You Acting Like That
LO All Nervous
LO Does This Person You're Thinking About Scare You??
LO Doesn't Sound Like They Deserve All This Then @_@
Y/N No, they do.
Y/N Even if they scare me a little, it's a good scary!
Y/N Some sour with the sweet, you know?
You gaze meaningfully at him. He holds it for a few seconds.
LO Do I Know This Person
You groan, drop the bag of candy, and grab his shoulders.
Y/N It's you, Louis!
Y/N I want to get something for you!
Y/N I think you're really funny, considerate, and a one-of-a-kind person!
Louis looks from you, to the hands on his shoulders, then back to you.
LO But It's Not My Birthday??
You hang your head. What will get through to this man?
Y/N Nevermind.
Y/N Thanks for the help. I'll be going.
You let go of him, pick up the bag from the floor, then turn to leave.
LO Hold On!!
Before you can turn back around, you feel his arms envelop you from behind. You stumble forward, the momentum nearly sending the both of you tumbling down.
LO Y/N!!
Y/N What??
LO I Remembered What Day It Is!!
You laugh as he nuzzles at the back of your neck.
Y/N So, is it obvious yet?
LO I Still Think You Could've Made It Clearer
LO But The Answer Is Yes
LO I Will Gladly Accept Any Kinds of Sweets You Have To Give Me
LO They'll Be Extra Tasty Coming From You!!
You try to turn to look at him, but he has you in a tight grip. You settle for patting his head, which is now resting on your shoulder.
Y/N Now that you know...
Y/N You're free to pick out anything you want, by the way.
Y/N Since you were already wanting something in this aisle, too.
LO Okay!!
LO I Want This One
He finally lets go, allowing you to turn and look at where he's pointing. But instead he leans forward and licks a stripe on your cheek. You're sure your mouth is hanging open as he licks his lips.
LO Yum
Y/N ...
Y/N As... nice as that was...
Y/N Are you sure you want to leave without getting candy?
LO Oh No Absolutely Hah Hah
He grabs your hand, though you end up holding more sleeve than hand.
LO I'm Just Glad To Know My Taste In People Is As Good As In Food
You end up splitting the bill between several large variety packs. It's enough to last you a couple months, but with Louis, it barely lasts the two of you the rest of the day.
THE END
(Ending 13/20: How Many Does It Take?)
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